Jack Cooper, of London-based duo Ultimate Painting, announced the release of his debut album today. Titled Sandgrown, the nine track record evokes the likes of songwriting masters Scott Walker, John Cale, and Robert Wyatt – if you don’t know who they are, get to googling. Listen to first single “Gynn Square,” a gorgeous reflection on people watching filled with nostalgia-inducing emotions.

Jack says of the song: “I wanted to write something about my time renting out deckchairs on Blackpool Promenade. Working there, socialising with all these weirdos and hanging around the promenade was a life defining time.

Gynn Square was the furthest deckchair stack… this weird outpost where no one would ever go but it was an area that seemed to have this dread to it. You’d typically show up and have to ask a homeless guy to move so you could open the stack, settle him down in a chair for the day and then wait to see who’d show up… drag queens on breaks from Funny Girls or lost American tourists. It was always interesting but had this dangerous air.”

Sandgrown drops August 25th on Trouble In Mind Records. Check tour dates below for a series of intimate solo shows around the UK. –Maya Eslami

Jack Cooper Solo Tour

Sunday 10th September – The Hope and Ruin, Brighton
Monday 11th September – BBC 6 Music Session
Tuesday 12th September – The Waiting Room, London
Wednesday 13th September – Cafe Kino, Bristol
Thursday 14th September – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
Friday 15th September – The Eagle Inn, Salford
Sunday 17th September – The Old Hairdresser’s, Glasgow